Control device of copying machine

ABSTRACT

The invention is directed to an improved control device for a copying machine which permits continuance of the copying operation, even when an indicator shows that machine operation should be stopped for replacing expendables (such as a developer), coupled with a manually releasable stop signal causing means which automatically stops the machine operation when the machine has been operated for a predetermined number of cycles, after which the indicator becomes operable. The machine comprises a switch movable from a first state to a second state when the machine has been operated for the predetermined number of cycles, the indicator which is operable in the second state and inoperable in the first state, the stop signal causing means for generating signals for stopping the machine operation, said stop signal causing means being operable in the second state and inoperable in the first state, and means for making said stop signal causing means inoperable when said switch is in the second state without changing the second state to the first state.

United States Patent 1191 Akimoto et a1.

l l CONTROL DEVICE OF COPYING MACHINE [75] Inventors: Hideo Akimoto; Hiromitsu Kamiyama, both of Tokyo Japan [731 Assignee: Konishiroku Photo Industry Co.,

Ltd., Tokyo, Japan 22 Filed Feb. 6, 1974 1211 Appl.No.:440,246

Primary ExaminerHerman Hohauser Attorney. Agent, or Firm-Bierman & Bierman 1 1 Aug. 19, 1975 [57] ABSTRACT The invention is directed to an improved control device for a copying machine which permits continuance of the copying operation, even when an indicator shows that machine operation should be stopped for replacing expendables (such as a developer), coupled with a manually releasable stop signal causing means which automatically stops the machine operation when the machine has been operated for a predetermined number of cycles, after which the indicator becomes operable.

The machine comprises a switch movable from a first state to a second state when the machine has been operated for the predetermined number of cycles, the indicator which is operable in the second state and inoperable in the first state, the stop signal causing means for generating signals for stopping the machine operation, said stop signal causing means being operable in the second state and inoperable in the first state, and means for making said stop signal causing means inoperable when said switch is in the second state without changing the second state to the first sta te 5 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures CONTROL DEVICE ()F COPYING MACHINE This invention relates to a control device for copiers. The electrophotographic copiers employ expendables such as transfer papers and developing powders and parts to be supplemented or renewed after every definite number of cycles of copying operation. And it is common practice to automatically stop theoperation of the copiers after every definite number of operation cycles for the purpose of reliable supplementing and replacing operations. However, if the copiers remain to stop for the supplementing and replacing operations, inconvenience is brought about in copy work.

For instance developing powder renewal usually requires an expert. Therefore. the copier will have to stop its operation until the expert finishes the renewalv Since the developing powder is consumed gradually, it is desired that the copier is ready for operation even after the copier is operated for definite number of operation cycles.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to over come inconvenience and disadvantage in the conventional copiers. Another object of this invention is to provide a copier which allows reliable supply of expendables and to allow easy copy work free from troubles.

The device is illustrated below with reference to the embodiments shown in drawings.

FIG. I shows an electrical circuit of a device according to this invention. FIG. 2 shows an electrical circuit of another device according to this invention.

D-C voltage E is impressed across terminals A and B. MS is a main switch, M5, is a microswitch which is actuated by a copy counter provided in a copier when the counter has reached at a predetermined requiring supply of cxpendablcs or replacement of short life parts. RL, and RL, are relays. FL is an indicator lamp energized through the microswitch M5,, R is a resistance, C, is a electrolytic capacitor, D, and D are diodes respectively connected in parallel with relays RL, and RL,, C is a terminal for producing a signal to stop the copier, S, is a normally-open switch that will be closed by energized relay RL,, and S is a normally-open switch that will be closed by energized relay RL This device operates as following.

For example, in the case of a matter that needs supply of expendables or replacement of short life parts after 5,000 operation cycles, the copied number may be counted by a counter which comprises a ratchetfeed mechanism as known. Until 5,000 times is counted, the microswitch MS, maintains the state of being connected to the contact D as shown in FIG. I, and the capacitor C, is charged to the voltage E. And further, the relays RL, and RL, are not operated. Accordingly, no output appears at the terminal C and there is no need to replace the parts and supply the ex pendables.

At the time that 5,000 times are counted, a cam (known itself) which is rotated by the ratchet-feed machanism of the counter causes the microswitch MS, to be changed from the point D to point F, whereby causing the indicator lamp Plto light to make indication, and then the relay RL, is energized. Energization of the reley RL, causes the switch S, to be closed. Closure of the switch S, permits the capacitor C, to be discharged and the relay RL is energized. Energization of the relay RL causes the switch S to be closed. Thereby, the relay RL- is self-maintained so that output signal appears at the terminal C and said signal causes the copier to be stopped for the supply or replacement after 5,000 times has finished.

When the supply or replacement is carried out, the microswitch MS, is reset by known mechanism. After the resetting of switch M5,, main switch MS is opened, and thereby relay RL is deenergized so as to open switch 5 Then, when the main switch is reclosed, the copier is allowed to operate for next 5,000 operation cycles.

On the other hand, in a case that an operator wishes to continue copy work without the supply or replacement, unless those are considered absolutely necessary at that stage, he will be able to operate the copier by a main switch MS reclosed after opened, for the following reason.

Opening of a main switch MS deenergize relays RL,, RL and thereby switches 5,, 5- are opened. Since a microswitch MS, is held to connect a contact F, condenser C, is discharged through resistor R. Therefore, when the main switch is reclosed, an indicator lamp PL is again lighted, so an operator can still note the finishing of 5,000 operation cycles. Although relay RL, is again energized to close switch 5,, relay RL is not energized because condenser C, has been discharged. Accordingly, once opened switch 5 remains to open and no stop signal appears.

In this embodiment a relay RL- is used to operate a switch 5 but other electromagnetic device can be used instead of the relay. For example, there may be mentioned as such an electromagnetic device which is adapted to close a switch 52 when magnetic force is induced in the device and has a reset knob for manually opening the switch.

In a control device having such electromagnetic device, in order to continue copy work without the supply or replacement an operator is required simply to push the reset knob so as to open the switch.

Next, the device is illustrated with reference to an other embodiment shown in FIG. 2. A microswitch M5 is provided in addition to the microswitch M5,. The microswitch MS, switches at the time of finishing of first predetermined operation cycles, for example 5,000 cycles, and the microswitch MS switches at the time of finishing of another second predetermined operation cycles, for example 10,000 cycles. After 5,000 times is counted, the microswitch MS, will be changed from the point D to the point F; the microswitch MS, is in contact with the point Gv Indication of replacement of short-life parts or supply of expendables is done by the indicator lamp PL as same manner as in FIG. I. When l0,000 times is counted, the microswitch M5 is changed to the point H by another cam provided in the copier which is rotated by a ratchet-feed mechanism.

The needs of the supply or replacement is indicated by an indicator lamp PL and a copier is stopped as same manner as in first embodiment. The copier will not only be able to operate for next 10,000 operation cycles by the supply or replacement but also to operate without the supply or replacement by the operation of the main switch MS or a reset knob as mentioned above.

What is claimed is:

l. A control device for a copying machine comprising:

a switch movable from a first state to a second state when the copying machine has been operated for a predetermined number of cycles;

an indicator for indicating that the machine has been operated for said predetermined cycles, said indicator being inoperable when said switch is in said first state and operable when said switch is in said second state",

a stop signal causing means for generating signals for stopping the operation of the machine, said stop signal causing means being inoperable when said switch is in said first state and operable when said switch is in said second state; and

means for making said stop signal causing means inoperable when said switch is in said second state without changing the second state to the first state.

2. A control device for a copying machine comprising:

a switch movable from a first state to a second state when the machine has been operated for a predetermined number of cycles;

an indicator for indicating that the machine has been operated for said predetermined cycles, said indicator being inoperable in the first state and operable in the second state;

stop signal causing means for generating signals for stopping the operation of the machine;

electromagnetic means for electromagnetically making the stop signal causing means operable when energized and inoperable when deencrgized;

a condenser adapted to be electrically chargable in the first state and dischargable through the electromagnetic means when the switch is moved from the first state to the second state, said condenser energizing the electromagnetic means when discharged after being charged in the first state whereby the electromagnetic means operates the stop signal causing means in the second state whereby the machine operation is automatically stopped;

energizing means for keeping the electromagnetic means energized once the electromagnetic means is energized by the discharging of the condenser; and

deenergizing means for deenergizing the electromagnetic means without changing the state of the switch even when said energizing means is operable.

3. A control device for a copying machine comprising:

a first switch being a main switch of the machine;

a second switch connected to the first switch in series, said second switch being movable from a first state to a second state when the machine has been operated for a predetermined number of cycles;

an indicator for indicating that the machine has been operated for said cycles. said indicator being connected to the first switch through the second switch in the second state in series;

a third switch opened; first means for electromagnetically controlling the third switch, said first means being connected in parallel with the indicator and adapted to close said third switch when energized;

a condenser connected to the first switch in series through the second switch in the first state;

a fourth switch normally opened;

second means for electromagnetically controlling the fourth switch, said second means being connected in parallel with the condenser through the third switch in the closed position thereof and also connected to the first switch in series through the fourth switch in the closed position thereof and adapted to close the fourth switch when energized; whereby, when the third switch is closed, after the condenser is charged, the second means is ener gized by discharging the condenser so as to close the fourth switch, said second means being kept energized through the closed fourth switch thereby maintaining the fourth switch closed; and

a third means for generating signals for stopping the operation of the machine without opening the first switch, said third means comprising the fourth switch and being adapted to be operable in the closed position of the fourth switch and inoperable in the opened position of the fourth switch.

4. A control device for a copying machine according to claim 3 wherein the device further comprises a resistor connected in parallel with the condenser.

5. A control device for a copying maching according to cliarn 3 wherein the fourth switch is manually openable when electromagnetically closed by the energized second means. 

1. A control device for a copying machine comprising: a switch movable from a first state to a second state when the copying machine has been operated for a predetermined number of cycles; an indicator for indicating that the machine has been operated for said predetermined cycles, said indicator being inoperable when said switch is in said first state and operable when said switch is in said second state; a stop signal causing means for generating signals for stopping the operation of the machine, said stop signal causing means being inoperable when said switch is in said first state and operable when said switch is in said second state; and means for making said stop signal causing means inoperable when said switch is in said second state without changing the second state to the first state.
 2. A control device for a copying machine comprising: a switch movable from a first state to a second state when the machine has been operated for a predetermined number of cycles; an indicator for indicating that the machine has been operated for said predetermined cycles, said indicator being inoperable in the first state and operable in the second state; stop signal causing means for generating signals for stopping the operation of the machine; electromagnetic means for electromagnetically making the stop signal causing means operable when energized and inoperable when deenergized; a condenser adapted to be electrically chargable in the first state and dischargable through the electromagnetic means when the switch is moved from the first state to the second state, said condenser energizing the electromagnetic means when discharged after being charged in the first state whereby the electromagnetic means operates the stop signal causing means in the second state whereby the machine operation is automatically stopped; energizing means for keeping the electromagnetic means energized once the electromagnetic means is energized by the discharging of the condenser; and deenergizing means for deenergizing the electromagnetic means without changing the state of the switch even when said energizing means is operable.
 3. A control device for a copying machine comprising: a first switch being a main switch of the machine; a second switch connected to the first switch in series, said second switch being movable from a first state to a second state when the machine has been operated for a predetermined number of cycles; an indicator for indicating that the machine has been operated for said cycles, said indicator being connected to the first switch through the second switch in the second state in series; a third switch opened; first means for electromagnetically controlling the third switch, said first means being connected in parallel with the indicator and adapted to close said third switch when energized; a condenser connected to the first switch in series through the second switch in the first state; a fourth switch normally opened; second means for electromagnetically controlling the fourth switch, said second means being connected in parallel with the condenser through the third switch in the closed position thereof and also connected to the first switch in series through the fourth switch in the closed position thereof and adapted to close the fourth switch whEn energized; whereby, when the third switch is closed, after the condenser is charged, the second means is energized by discharging the condenser so as to close the fourth switch, said second means being kept energized through the closed fourth switch thereby maintaining the fourth switch closed; and a third means for generating signals for stopping the operation of the machine without opening the first switch, said third means comprising the fourth switch and being adapted to be operable in the closed position of the fourth switch and inoperable in the opened position of the fourth switch.
 4. A control device for a copying machine according to claim 3 wherein the device further comprises a resistor connected in parallel with the condenser.
 5. A control device for a copying maching according to cliam 3 wherein the fourth switch is manually openable when electromagnetically closed by the energized second means. 